Chapter 13: Detention with the Girl

It was Peter's every intention to skip out on the whole detention thing. He'd rather nail both ears to the floor than listen to Dr. Sweet lecture him on respect, citizenship, and social competency. Yep. Peter's plan was simple: Chuck Dr. Sweet's advice in the crap bucket and ditch.

"…and make sure to wash hands between children because boy are they nasty little buggers." finished Dr. Sweet, handing Peter a shirt that read VOLUNTEER. "Got it?"

"Loud and clear." lied Peter, throwing the shirt on backwards. He grinned knowing Dr. Sweet wanted to strangle him. "Don't feed em', don't touch em', don't fall in love with em.' I get it doc."

Dr. Sweet's biceps twitched. "Good thing this is a one time deal." murmured the school nurse, finding his inner karma. "Move along, Son. We're late."

Although he resented being called 'son' Peter followed Dr. Sweet into the elementary school, scanning for escape routes. As they entered a colorful room crowded with children, Peter realized just how easy it would be to slip away. With all the commotion and toys flying around, no one would notice him. Piece of cake.

"Okay, this is the play room." Dr. Sweet explained, searching through his medical bag.

Peter gave a look that he hoped implied 'duh.'

"This is where the pre-health students do evaluations of motor and cognitive milestones and impairments, based on age norms for each child. After that, it's basically just a free-frawl of play."

Peter blew through his nose. "I understood the play part, Doc."

"And that's your job today." Dr. Sweet, strapped a mirror around his head and stethoscope around his neck. "Hear you're not bad with kids. And half of this bunch come from the orphanage. So you should fit in. Can't hurt to have a familiar face."

Peter shuddered to think that Lilo might be somewhere in this room, reeking havoc on an innocent little bystander. As if on cue, a baby lion squealed as Lilo slapped a bonnet over his rump.

"Oh joy." Peter mumbled, watching as Lilo punched a bear cub in the nose. "Looks like oodles of fun."

"Just call if you need help." said Dr. Sweet, pointing to the corner of the room. "Over there are Master Goofy, Master Kronk, and Mistress Minnie. They teach here."

Peter glanced at three adults: a goofy looking something, a big chinned man, and a mouse with pink heels. Currently, Master Kronk was demonstrating how to properly whip away boogers after sneezing. Oh yeah. This was going to be so easy.

Peter grinned. "Think I can handle it. Thanks."

Dr. Sweet narrowed one eye at Peter. "You're here until five." he finally said, a dangerous edge in his voice. "Make sure you see me after so I can sign your paperwork."

"Will do." Reaching into his pocket, Peter withdrew the bronz orb he had stolen from Jim. He tossed it idly as Dr. Sweet crossed the thicket of children. "Will do, Sucker. Psych! I'm outta…"

Peter stopped.

There she was. The girl. The girl that had slapped him when he tried to feel her bra in gym class. The girl that was friends with the rat-tail kid Jim.

The girl that was too good for the great Peter Pan.

Captivated, Peter watched as she interacted with the children, flawlessly balancing safety and play. As Lilo and Tootles ran into her lap, she smiled. Peter smiled as she smiled, unable to stop himself from admiring the girl's adorable laugh and big, blue eyes.

Pocketing the bronz orb, Peter crossed the room. The girl was bent over, gathering discarded toys good-naturedly. Unable to resist an open target, Peter casually looked away and 'accidentally' bumped into the girl's bottom. Already forward, the girl lost her balance.

"Whoa…sorry." Conveniently, Peter grasped the girl's waist, helping her upright. "Didn't see you there with all these kids…oh…well, well, well."

Peter grinned as the girl turned. Hands still around her waist, he straightened her blue hoodie. "Well. If it isn't little Miss Virtue."

The girl flushed. "You!" Angrily, she pushed his hands from her waist. "What are you doing here?"

"Think I should be asking you the same thing, Girl." Peter put his hands on his hips, mimicking her posture. "You still stalking me?"

"Stalking? You?" The girl's fists clenched together, as if she was squeezing back her temper. "You are abhorable –"

"—ooo abhorable!" Peter waved his hands in the air. "Oooooo, big word for a little girl."

"You got Jim in trouble!" Continued the girl, vying for control. "That was a beastly thing to do to him. To anybody."

"Oh, dear!" In mock contriteness, Peter clutched a hand to his chest. "Did I hurt his feelings? Did he cry?"

"I want –"

"- Because if he cried…" Peter dabbed at an imaginary tear. "…then I just don't think I could live with myself."

"I want you to leave Jim alone." Wendy tried to remain calm. Her fingers clasped in and out. "Don't bother him. Don't go near him. Just leave him alone."

Peter laughed. "Well that's cute!" he said, leaning forward at the hips. "Rat-tail kid has his girl-friend fight his battles. Girl, wear a dress so he can hide behind it."

"He's not my boyfriend!" Wendy snapped, almost too quickly. "But he is my best friend. And you –"

"Hmm, best friend with benefits…" Peter mused before winking at Wendy. "Well, I am impressed! But I think you can do better. Rat-tail is a pretty low grade of meat. Speaking of low grades of meat, you got a name, Girl?"

Wendy's mouth opened and closed. Peter Pan's uncoordinated vulgarity was infuriating and confusing. She was completely disoriented. Wendy didn't know if she should yell at him, slap him, or just stalk away from those mesmerizing midnight eyes.

"Peter Pan." she whispered, shaking with rage. "You are the most conceited boy in the entire world."

"Thanks!" Peter bowed with a flourish. "And you, Girl, talk too much. So…in a single word this time…" Peter spoke insultingly slow, articulating every word "Whaaaat – iiiiiiis – youuur – naaaaaaame, Giiiirrrrrrl?"

"Wendy! Wendy!"

Timing could not have been better for Peter Pan!

Peter raised triumphant eyebrows at Wendy as a little boy buried himself in her legs. Whipping his cheeks against Wendy's knees, the little boy pouted into her jeans.

"Wendy my tummy hurts." The little boy moaned, lifting his angelic face. "I need Teddy Bear."

Always drawn to kids and never lucky enough to have a brother himself, Peter dropped onto his haunches.

"Hey there." Peter said, rocking on his heels.

The little boy turned, sucking shyly on a thumb. Peter's eyebrows shot into his messy bangs. He glanced between Wendy and the little boy. The resemblance was uncanny, from the caramel curls, huge blue eyes, and formal demure.

"Who are you?" asked the little boy, hugging Wendy's legs.

"Who am I?" Peter repeated enthusiastically. The little boy smiled. Peter hopped forward. "Who am I? I'm Peter Pan! Who are you?"

"Michael Darling."

"How old are you Michael Darling?"

Michael held up his fingers. "Five."

"Wow!" Peter counted Michael's fingers. "That's pretty good! Look at that! Now tell me Michael Darling, is this girl, Wen-dy, your…" Peter looked quickly at Wendy for reference. He grinned cockily before returning to Michael, "…sister?" he guessed.

"Yes." Michael nodded leaning his head against Wendy's knee. "And she's a girl."

"Yeah." Peter laughed as Wendy fumed. "Yeah. She hits like one too."

"She makes stories." Michael continued before Wendy could speak. Climbing onto Wendy's shoes, Michael hung back, holding her jeans. "She tells them to me. Wanna hear one?"

"Do I?!" Peter bounced on his haunches, ruffling Michael's curls. Now that he had a chance to study the Darling siblings, Peter noticed vaguely that Wendy's hair was shade or two darker, but had more natural highlights. Especially at the tips of her curls. Peter suppressed the sudden urge to rip out Wendy's ponytail too see her hair loose.

Grinning from ear to pointed ear, Peter pressed his fingers together in prayer. He looked up imploringly. "Tell us a story, Wendy."

"Please?" Michael sang happily, swinging on Wendy's feet. "Please, please, please?"

Wendy face contorted in indecision. "Michael." She reached down, dislodging her little brother. "Michael your tummy hurts. Remember?"

"Not anymore!" Michael took Peter's hand experimentally. "He made my tummy ache go away."

"Yeah." Peter stood, holding Michael's hand. He stepped into Wendy, pausing only an inch away. "Yeah. And maybe I can make the stick up your ass go away too…Wendy."

SLAP!

BOOM!

BOOM!

BOOM!

A shock wave slammed through the elementary school, withering the flowered vines, cracking the walls, and knocking over the inhabitants. Peter slammed into Wendy, landing on top of the girl an instant after she slapped him. Hard.

Soot snowed down from the crumbling roof. Children were crying. Sirens detonated. Dr. Sweet wrenched himself upright as the door flung open and a ebony panther leapt inside.

"Minnie!" Shouted the panther, bounding effortlessly over the turmoil. "Mistress Minnie!"

"Bagheera?" replied the mouse, her bow askew and velvety skin spotted in soot.

"Come quickly!" The panther crouched, paws flexing as he waited for the mouse to mount. "Quickly now! It's a cannon! Or bomb! The swim team – the mermaids – the school – have been attacked!"